Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers brings together the history of the Gâteau de Saint-Genix, preserved traces along the Guiers, and connections for cyclists on the ViaRhôna. This puts two specific questions at the heart of planning your trip: would you like to explore the local speciality and the town’s history, or should the town be part of a multi-day cycling trip? Culinary events and regional travel routes can help you match these priorities to your preferred travel dates.
Cake-making tradition as a reason to visit
The recipe for Gâteau Labully, which became known as Gâteau de Saint-Genix over the years, has been passed down from father to son since that time. Around 1860, Saint-Genix gained considerable renown thanks to Gâteau Labully. Gâteau de Saint-Genix is a brioche filled with pink pralines. Its recipe, the story behind its name, and its ingredients give the speciality several different facets—a specific focus to explore from both a culinary and cultural-historical perspective.
The Circuit de la Cité du gâteau is a family treasure hunt in Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers. If you are looking for an experience on the same theme, you can include this activity in your selection. Details of the activity may change; check them before your visit.
Events also take place during specific time periods: La Praline Buissonnière is a culinary walk on the second Sunday in October; the Grand Chapitre des Gâteau de Saint-Genix takes place on 8 May in even-numbered years. As dates may change, check the specific dates before finalising your trip. The different months can help you decide whether an autumn stay or a trip in May would suit you better.
Historic traces along the Guiers
The original hinges of the Porte du Faubourg are still in place. After the gate was damaged by a lorry, the municipality rebuilt it. Sections of the former town wall of Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers have been preserved along the Guiers. The confluence of the Rhône and Guiers is also part of the area’s history of transport: it was an important junction connecting Vienne with Italy and Geneva. Together, these tangible remains and the broader history of former routes offer different ways to explore the past.
Following clues and a pilgrimage route
At the end of a visit to the Repaire Mandrin, a treasure map invites you to explore the Val Guiers area in search of clues. The Chapelle de Pigneux offers a different kind of stop: it serves as a place to rest on a pilgrimage route, seven kilometres before Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers.
The ViaRhĂ´na and getting here
On multi-day rides, you can leave the ViaRhôna before the Champagneux dam; the centre of Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers is five kilometres away. A signposted, surfaced route runs from the ViaRhôna at the Brégnier-Cordon dam (Gélignieux) to Saint-Genix-les-Villages, at the confluence of the Guiers and the Rhône. The distinction is important for navigation: the turn-off before Champagneux gives the distance to the centre of Saint-Genix-sur-Guiers, while the signposted route leads to Saint-Genix-les-Villages. The Val Guiers Tourist Office provides maps, local recommendations, and information about the ViaRhôna.
The Val Guiers area can be reached via the A43, using exit 10 at Chimilin or exit 11 at Belmont-Tramonet. For train travel, Pont-de-Beauvoisin station is ten kilometres from the centre of the area, and Les Abrets-Fitilieu station is twelve kilometres away. These details offer different reference points for travelling to the region.
Next, check which accommodation location best suits your specific plans.
Discover more destinations: MĂ©ribel-Village, Verrens-Arvey, Saint-Pierre-D'entremont, LĂ©pin-Le-Lac, Aigueblanche, Valmeinier, Chignin, Bozel.
For the wider travel overview: Savoie.
